Inquiry into Gurkha Welfare

He hadn't eaten for 15 days and was drifting in and out of consciousness. But today a Gurkha from Reading ended his hunger-strike, after a dramatic intervention by MPs

When Meridian highlighted Gyanraj Rai's protest on Monday, he said he was prepared to die for his cause: securing retired Gurkhas the same pensions as their British counterparts.

Today MPs brokered a deal to end the hunger-strike. The breakthrough follows a remarkable campaign by Kent schoolboy - George Taylor. Phil Hornby has this report.

Joanna Lumley and members of the Gurkha Justice Campaign will meet with the hunger striking Gurkha, Gyanraj Rai, who is camped opposite Downing Street, to discuss the announcement on Gurkha's Welfare.

Martin Howe, solicitor and joint founder of the Gurkha Justice Campaign said:

"This presents a unique opportunity to finally settle genuine issues of concern and allows Gurkhas to continue to be held with affection by the UK Government and people.

We are grateful to Parliament for taking up these important issues and for indicating its support for the work of the Parliamentary Inquiry."

The All Party Group on Gurkha Welfare is to hold a committee of inquiry into the outstanding grievances on the part of retired Gurkhas and the Gurkha community in the UK.

It follows the campaigning of schoolboy George Taylor from Gravesend in Kent, who launched an e-petition on the Downing Street website.